Nextsure Horse Insurance Experiences: How to Avoid Cost Traps and Secure Your Horse Optimally
5 Sept 2025
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A colic surgery for a horse can quickly incur costs of over 10,000 euros. Many horse owners are unprepared for such financial burdens, leading to difficult decisions. This article will show you how to find the right coverage and what really makes a good horse insurance policy.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A colic surgery can cost up to €35,000, which is why surgical insurance is a financial necessity.
Pay attention to the waiting times: For colic, it is often only five to seven days, for illnesses three months, and for chip surgeries up to twelve months.
Your insurance plan should cover at least twice the rate of the Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) to avoid high co-payments.
Realistically assess financial risks
The costs for veterinary treatments for horses are a significant factor. An operation due to colic can cost between 7,500 and 35,000 euros. Even a necessary dental surgery often amounts to up to 3,000 euros. Without insurance coverage, owners must find these sums themselves within a few days. A solid horse insurance is therefore not a luxury decision but an economic necessity. The monthly premiums are negligible compared to the potential one-time costs that a serious injury or illness can cause. Good coverage protects your assets and ensures the best possible care for your horse.
These numbers illustrate why choosing the right insurance coverage is so crucial.
Compare surgical insurance and comprehensive health coverage specifically
The fundamental decision in equine insurance is between a basic surgical insurance and a comprehensive equine health insurance. As the name suggests, a basic equine surgical insurance only covers the costs of surgical procedures. The more comprehensive equine health insurance also includes outpatient treatments, medications, and diagnostics. The choice heavily depends on your personal risk tolerance and budget. Keep in mind that a series of minor treatments can quickly reach costs of over €1,000 per year.
Here is an overview of the key differences:
Surgical Insurance: Covers costs for surgery, anaesthesia, and hospital stay up to 15 days post-operation, including related aftercare.
Health Insurance: Additionally covers regular veterinary visits, diagnostics like X-rays or MRI scans, medications, and often preventive measures such as vaccinations.
Cost Factor: A surgical insurance is available from around €25 per month, while a full health insurance often costs over €100.
Our Expert Tip: For most horse owners, surgical insurance offers the best compromise between cost protection and premium burden, as it covers the largest financial risks.
Once the type of coverage is selected, the contract details must be thoroughly reviewed.
Check contract details: Waiting times and exclusions
Negative experiences with insurance often arise due to misunderstandings of the contractual terms. Two of the most important points are waiting periods and exclusions. Insurance does not offer coverage from the first day. For colic surgeries, there is usually a reduced waiting period of just five to seven days. For general illnesses, it is typically three months, while for joint surgeries (OCD/chips), it can be up to twelve months. Pre-existing conditions that are known at the time of contract signing are permanently excluded from insurance coverage. Therefore, honesty in answering health questions is essential to avoid endangering the insurance coverage. A close look at the terms protects against unpleasant surprises and is a key component for positive nextsure horse insurance experiences.
Another crucial factor for cost reimbursement is the fee schedule of veterinarians.
Understanding the Veterinary Surgeons' Fees Regulation (GOT) as a cost factor
Veterinary services are billed according to the schedule of fees for veterinarians (GOT). This was last adjusted on 22 November 2022, leading to a significant increase in treatment costs. The GOT sets a fee framework from a simple to quadruple rate. In emergency services or complicated treatments, a veterinarian can charge up to the quadruple rate. Ensure that your plan reimburses at least the double GOT rate. Many inexpensive basic plans only cover up to the simple rate, which in an emergency could lead to a coverage gap of 50 percent or more. A good plan should even cover the quadruple rate in an emergency to fully protect you from co-payments. These details make the difference between real security and illusory safety.
In addition to the direct treatment costs, the legal protection of the horse owner is also of great importance.
Do not underestimate liability risks according to § 833 BGB
As a horse owner, you are liable for damages caused by your animal, unlimited and irrespective of fault. This is established in Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB) as what is known as strict liability. This means that even if you are not at fault, you must compensate for the damage. A typical example is a horse that escapes from the pasture and causes a traffic accident with personal injury amounting to over one million euros. While a comprehensive horse liability insurance is not legally required, it is absolutely indispensable. Make sure that the coverage amount is at least ten million euros. This protection safeguards your private livelihood from the financial consequences of an unforeseen event.
With the right knowledge about costs, contracts, and liability, you can manage the incident confidently.
Ensure a positive experience in the event of a claim
In an emergency, the quality of insurance is put to the test. Smooth and swift handling is crucial. The average time for a claims settlement should not exceed ten working days. You can help speed up the process yourself. Our advice at nextsure helps you to get everything right from the start.
Follow these four steps for a quick reimbursement:
Immediate notification: Inform your insurer immediately about the upcoming procedure, preferably before the operation (except in cases of acute emergencies).
Use direct billing: Ask the veterinary clinic if direct billing with the insurer is possible. This saves you having to advance thousands of euros.
Complete documentation: Submit all invoices and reports from the vet completely and legibly. Good documentation prevents queries that could delay the process by up to two weeks.
Check the diagnosis: Ensure the diagnosis on the invoice is clearly stated and matches the reported claim.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
The German Equestrian Federation (FN) provides numbers and facts about horses and equestrian sports in Germany.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) offers information on notifiable animal diseases and reportable animal diseases.
The World Animal Protection sheds light on the situation of horses in Germany.
Statista provides statistics on the personal ownership of horses in Germany.
The University of Göttingen offers a publication on the subject of horse husbandry.
The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) publishes an article on the development of horse husbandry in Germany.
FAQ
What is the difference between equine surgical insurance and equine health insurance?
The horse surgery insurance exclusively covers the costs for surgical procedures, including pre- and post-operative care. The equine health insurance is full coverage, additionally covering costs for outpatient treatments, diagnostics, and medications without surgery.
What does the GOT clause mean on the veterinary bill?
The fee schedule for veterinarians (GOT) is a legal regulation that determines what veterinarians may charge for their services. Depending on the effort and circumstances, they can bill the single, double, triple, or even quadruple rate for emergency services.
Can I still insure my horse in old age?
Yes, many insurers offer policies without an upper age limit. However, the premiums for older horses can be higher, and a more thorough health check is conducted.
Is the insurance coverage also valid abroad?
Yes, most plans offer Europe-wide or even worldwide insurance coverage for temporary stays abroad, for example for tournaments or holidays, for a period of up to twelve months.
What happens if I conceal a pre-existing condition in the health questions?
Not disclosing pre-existing conditions constitutes a breach of the pre-contractual duty of disclosure. In such cases, the insurer may withdraw from the contract or refuse to provide coverage. In the worst case, you could lose your insurance protection, yet still have to pay the premiums.
Why is equine liability insurance so important?
According to § 833 BGB, as a horse owner, you are liable for all damages caused by your animal, and this liability is unlimited with your personal assets. A horse liability insurance protects you from the financial consequences, which can quickly reach millions.
